The Australian festival, Canberra’s Spilt Milk festival, has recently been approved for onsite drug testing. Forensic experts on site of the festival will be in charge of gathering samples and testing. This will give festival goers the opportunity to have their drugs tested by experts before consumption, and will help with harm reduction.
Festival goers will have the opportunity to dispose of their drugs in an amnesty bin if they wish once finding out the risks of using drugs and what is in theirs. The decision was made by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) after they, and the Safety Testing Advisory Service at Festivals and Events (STA-SAFE) negotiated.
This can provide more education within the festival, making a safe environment for people to have an open conversation about what they are doing. Here they will be able to have a conversation about side effects and dangers in taking drugs.
“Pill testing means young people who are considering taking drugs can be informed about what’s really in their pills and how potent they are. And it creates an opportunity to remind them of the risks before they make the final decision to take a drug.” – ACT Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris.
This is another festival realizing what needs to be done to help people and festivals. What do you think of the idea? What else could festivals do to help?
Important things happen in Pacific Northwest nightlife, and DMNW will send you alerts!
